Report: Bulls' Ball targets return Wednesday vs. T-Wolves

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is targeting Wednesday's preseason matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves as his first game in over two-and-a-half years, sources told The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry.

Barring any setbacks, Chicago hopes Ball will play in the team's final two preseason games, Mayberry adds. The Bulls' preseason wraps up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 18.

A preseason appearance would mark Ball's first NBA action since Jan. 14, 2022. The Bulls were 27-13 and first in the Eastern Conference when Ball originally suffered the injury. Chicago finished that season sixth in the East with a record of 46-36.

The former No. 2 overall pick has been sidelined with a knee issue that's required three surgeries, most recently a cartilage transplant. Ball was cleared for advanced noncontact drills in March.

"He's done really, really well. He's been out there and he's played. And he's been effective playing. I think his timing's coming back," Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said, according to Mayberry.

Ball, 26, has only played in 35 games since the Bulls acquired him via sign-and-trade from the New Orleans Pelicans in summer 2021. In his time with Chicago, Ball has averaged 13 points, 5.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.

Ball will likely share lead-ball duties with young guard Coby White and offseason acquisition Josh Giddey.

Chicago begins its 2024-25 campaign against the Pelicans on Oct. 23.